Gaborone, Botswana: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the public that Botswana has had successful bids for key strategic African Union (AU) positions.
At the recently concluded 43rd Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council, which was held in Nairobi, Kenya, on 13th-14th July 2023, two nationals were endorsed to serve as members of the African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption, and the African Committee on the Rights and Welfare of the Child respectively.
Accordingly, Erica Tshenolo Ndlovu was appointed to the AU Advisory Board Against Corruption (AUABC) for two (2) years, and Dr Poloko Nuggert Ntshwarang will serve with the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) for five (5) years.
Among others, the AUABC is responsible for preventing and eradicating corruption in Africa. The ACERWC is tasked to promote and protect children’s rights in Africa, as well as monitor the implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
Botswana’s successful bids are a testament to the country’s resolve to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other AU Members States in the journey to realise the Union’s collective vision of an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa. The appointments also underscore the Governments commitment to secure opportunities for Batswana in various international institutions.
In addition to considering appointments for different Organs of the AU, the 43rd Ordinary Session also reviewed reports on the AU institutional reform, Agenda 2063 roadmap, regional integration and the implementation of the free trade area.
Residents of Botswana showed their happiness, and one of the residents, Mmaserame David, said, “Well done Botswana (BW). Next is to support Setswana as a working language in African Union forums, just like Kiswahili. Setswana is an important vehicular cross-border language in the SADC region. It could help improve regional integration. In Namibia, SA and Zim, it is an official language, while here, though spoken by the majority, it is just considered a national language.”
